Teen Depression
Teen depression is a serious illness that can impact every area of life. It is normal for teens to experience both highs and lows in life, but a teen may be clinically depressed if they are sad most of the time and experience the following:
- Poor academic performance or skipping classes
- Family conflict or problematic relationships with friends
- Experimentation with drugs or alcohol
- Risky sexual behavior
Roughly 4 percent of teens experience depression each year. Teen depression is treatable, though many adolescents are too embarrassed or ashamed to get the treatment they need. Without treatment, depressed teens are likely to struggle with more significant bouts of depression that last longer and prevent them from living the teen years to the fullest.
Depression comes in many forms. The two major categories are:
- Major Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
Is Your Teen Depressed?
Because it is natural to feel sad sometimes, it can be hard to diagnose depression in teens. Seek the advice of a mental health professional if the following symptoms impact your teen’s normal functioning for more than two weeks:
- Persistent sadness that doesn’t go away, or a lack of feeling
- Feelings of guilt or hopelessness
- Loss of interest in activities
- Forgetfulness or an inability to concentrate
- Irritability, fatigue or restlessness
- Change in sleep patterns, diet or weight
- Frequent thoughts of death or suicide
Teens with bipolar disorder alternate between feelings of intense sadness and manic episodes, which are typically characterized by:
- Unrealistic ideas and plans
- Intense activity
- Racing thoughts and talking incessantly
- Risky behaviors such as driving recklessly or spending a lot of money
- Rebelliousness and irritability
What Causes Depression?
Depression can come on as a result of difficult life experiences, such as a divorce or death in the family, financial problems, relationship issues, or loss of a job. It also often has a genetic basis. In teenagers, depression can lead to drug or alcohol abuse, poor academic performance or hanging out with a negative peer group. If you notice these signs, depression or another emotional or behavioral issue may be the root cause.
Treatment for Teen Depression
If your child is struggling with any of these symptoms, contact a mental health professional or your family doctor. Depressed teens have a number of treatment options, including:
- Counseling
- Wilderness Therapy
- Therapeutic Boarding Schools
- Residential Treatment Centers
- Antidepressant Medication
Research shows that a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication is often the best approach.
Depression is a mental illness that requires treatment, not a sign of weakness, moral failure or lack of motivation. With treatment, depressed teens can begin to feel better in as little as a few weeks. And the earlier the condition is treated, the better teens are able to function and manage any future bouts of depression.
